Service-switch



G. E. PALMER.

SERVICE SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24. I919.

Patented Oct. 12,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

M X R Q m fi fi 1 1% WIQ\ .HIIJWQ \E \W G. E. PALMER.

SERVICE SWITCH.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 24. 1 91 9.

Patented Oct. 12, 1920.

2 SHEE UNITED stares PATENT OFFICE.

GRANVILLE E. PALMER,

0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE PALMER I-"OIRtATION 0F MAINE.

SERVICE-SWITCH.

Application filed March 24,- 1919.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

e it known that I, GRANVILLE E. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Service- Switches, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to produce a combination inclosed switch and fuse in which the fuse is-accessible only when disconnected from the source of electrial potential without removing the fuse. That is, the object is to provide a switch mechanism in which the fuses are stationary but are accessible for removal or replacement only when they are source of potential, so as to prevent any liability of the operator coming into contact with electrically active parts or elements.

In attaining the object of this invention, it is my further object to provide certain other improvements in switch mechanisms for insuring the locking of the door when the fuses are electrically active, and preventing the opening of the door until the fuses have been electrically disconnected from the source of power.

The invention has further for its object to provide certain other improvements which will be described more at length in the specification and set forth in the appended claims.

On the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated a switch mechanism which con stitutes one embodiment of the invention, the details of construction of which, however, may be changed and greatly varled without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Figure 1 represents in front elevation the switch mechanism, the cover and the operating handle being removed to illustrate the elements which arecontained within the case.

Fig. 2 illustrates a side elevation of the same with a part of the box or case broken away.

Fig. 3 represents one of the duplex movable switch members.

Fig. 4 represents a section through the same on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Specification of Letters Patent.

disconnected from the Patented Oct. 12, 1920. Serial No.- 284,561.

Figs. 5 and 6, the latter representing a cross section on the line 66 of Fig. 5, illus. trate one of the guides for the'switch carrier.

Figs. 7 and 8, the latter representing a section on the line 88 of Fig. 7, illustrate the stationary contact members and illustrate how they are connected with the terminal of one of the leads.

Fig. 9 represents a detailed'view of the switch operating mechanism.

F igs. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the interlocking mechanism between the door and the switch-operating, mechanism, including the latch for holding the latter against operation when the door is opened, Fig. 11 representing a section on the line llll of Fig. 12.

Figs. 13 and 14 show the operating handle and the means for securing it by-a keyoperated padlock or by a seal against movement.

It will be understood that the drawings are more or less conventional and that the 'phraseology which I herein employ is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

I employ a closed box or case which, in the form shown, is substantially rectangular and which comprises a body portion and a removable cover, the latter being provided with a hinged door which may be swung upon its axis to expose the fuses. The body portion of the box comprises a rear wall 20, a top wall 21, end walls 22, and a bottom wall 23. This box or case is preferably made ofsheet metal. Its front is normally closed by a cover 24 havin marginalflanges 25 to lap the top, bottom and end walls of the box as shown in Fig. 2. This box may be provided with the usual lugs 26 to engage apertures in the top marginal flange of the cover, and also with a perforated lip 27 projecting forwardly through an aperture in the cover near the I spring sockets by e vided with a member 38 exv which are indicated at 30. This door closes a relatively small aperture in the cover through which only the fuses are accessible, as will be explained more at length hereinafter.

the bottom wall 23, as shown in Fig. 1, and

the front edges of which are closely adjacent the cover, as shown in Fig. 2. These partitions or barriers are made of insulating material, and, when the door is opened, they prevent access of the current-carrying parts which are located in the chambers beyond the outer sides of said barriers as illustrated in Fig. 1. Any suitable means may be utilized for securing the barriers in place, such as angle brackets 33 secured to said barriers and to the block or plate 31. 'l he fuse-containing chamber between the barriers is shown as no greater than the width of the door-closed aperture in the cover, so that, when the door is opened, access may be had only to the chamber between the barriers and not to the chambers on the outer sides of the barriers. Secured to the face of the insulated block 31 within the central chamber are the bases 34 of the spring sockets 35, in which may be inserted the blades 36 of the stationary but removable fuses 37. in case a two-wire circuit is employed, there are two pairs of fuse sockets and two fuses, but, if the switch mechanism were to be used with a three-wire,

system, provision would be made for a third pair of fuse sockets and a third fuse. The fuses may be withdrawn from the pulling them forwardly been opened to afiord acthe bases 34 is proriding through one orthe other of the barriers or partitions 32, and has connected therewith outside of the barrier the two stationary spring after the door has cess thereto. Each of sockets of a duplex stationary contact mem- I her or fuse terminal. Each of these duplex members is indicated as a whole at 39 in Fig. i. Adjacent each of the members 39, there is a similar duplex member or line terminal 40 electrically connected with a suitable member to which the service or lead conductors may be secured. For example, the members for the lead wires are indicated at 41 and those for the service wires or con ductors at 42, although it is immaterial. to which members the lead d service wires are secured, for the arrangments 1- ay be the reverse of that described. in Figs. 7 and 8, I have shown one of the line terminals 40 which consists of a base 43 having the socket terial.

- is deteri i issaeee the base is secured to the block or plate 31. Said base has a forwardly projecting member 45 with lugs or cars 46 to which the spring-contact members 47 47 are secured by a bolt 48, these parts being all of copper or other electrically conducting material.

Suitable conductors 49, in electrical engage-' ment with the stationary contacts 47, are

fastened to a lug 50 projecting from the base 43. This is standard contact construe tion, but may be departed from if desired. F or coaction with each pair of duplex line and fuse terminals or contacts, indicated at 39 and 40, I employ a movable duplex switch or contact member indicated as a whole at 51. Naturally there are four of these members and they are all mounted upon a carrier by which they may be moved simultaneously into and out of engagementwith their associated airs of stationary contact members. In igs. 4 and 5, I have illustrated one of the duplex movable contact members which comprises the two blades 52, 52, for engagement with the associated spring sockets 47, 47, of the terminals or members 39 or 40 as the case maybe. These blades are spaced apart by aspacer 53 through which and through the blades are passed the bushings 54 of insulating ma- The screws 55, which secure the parts together and to the carrier, as will be explained, are passed through washers 56 of insulating material in the front of the blades-and also through a strip 57 in the rear of the blades, so that the blades will be. insulated from the carrier. T he carrier may consist of a d-shaped channel iron bar having the horizontal body portion or cross bar 58 and'the two upright portions or members 59. To theuprights 59 of the carrier are secured by rivets 60 short cross bars 61 (see-Fig. 4) into which the screws 65 are passed, in consequence of which the movable switch or contact members are attached to the carrier. it will now be understood that, by moving the carrier upward or downward, the case may be, the movable contact members may be disengaged from and moved into contact with the stationary line and full ines in 1. I

' Standar practice calls for switch contacts to open or separate a certain distance which had by the voltage and amperage of the circuit which the switch is designed to carr 2 For example, the standard distance between contacts of a QOO-ampere 250- volt switch is 2 inches, when the switch members are separated. li secure this breaking distance by a separation of approximately one-half inch at four points, as I find it desirable to limit the length of travel of the carrier dueto the fact that it is moved to open position by spring pressure as will be explained. Of course, instead of using acetate duplex stationary contacts and movable contacts, I may, if it be desirable, single contact members and provide for a greater travel of the carrier.

I will now explain how the carrier is operated to open and close the circuit through the fuses. The carrier itself is guided in its reciprocatory movements. For this purpose, I employ the two guides indicated as a whole in Fig. 1 at 70, 70, for the upright portions 59 of the carrier, and also a guide for the horizontal portion of the carrier which I will subsequently describe. One of the guides 70 is shown in Figs. 5- and 6 and it consists of a base 71 formed with a rectangular loop 72, between the side bars 73 of which a roller 74 is journaled on a screw pin 75. The upright 59 is located between the roller 74 and the front wall of the loop, the roller serving to reduce friction.

Any other means for guiding the upright 77, so that portions of the carrier may be substituted for that described if found desirable. The guide for the horizontal portion of the carrier is shown in Fig. 9 and comprises a plate 76 secured to the front face of the block or plate 31 and provided with side walls '76 having inturned flanges-77. To the rear face of the horizontal portion 58 of the carrier. there is a strip 78 the ends of which are bent so as to overlap the guides or flanges the latter are located between the ends of the strip 78 and the rear face of the horizontal portion 58. By means of these three guides thus described, the carrier may be'moved vertically without lateral dislocation. The carrier is moved to open position by springs 80 (see Fig. 9), the lower ends of which are inserted in cylindrical sockets 81 formed on a metalllc yoke 82 secured to the front face of the blockor plate 31 below the door opening.

in the cover. The upper ends of the springs bear against the horizontal portion of the carrier and they encircle plungers 83 which extend downwardly into the said sockets 81.- The carrier may be moved to and locked in its open and its closed positions by a toggle comprising the curved link 84- and the bifurcated arm 85 which are pivotally connected by the screw pin 86. The upper end of the link-8 1 is pivoted to the horizontal portion or cross bar 58 of the carrier by a screw pin 87 which is passed through an arched strap 88 into the cross bar. The

link or arm 85 is preferably formed on a rock shaft or oscillatory member 89, the rear end of which is journaled in an aperture in the plate 76. The forward end of said shaft is journaled in the front bar 90 of the yoke82, which bar lies close to the cover when the latter is in place as shown in Fig. 2. The extremity of the shaft. 89, which projects through the cover, is provided with a handle 91 secured thereon in employ upturned lip 93 I mounted upon a pivot any suitable mannerjsaid handle being provided with a knob 92. The handle has an provided with a series of perforations, which, when the handle is in open position, will register with the apertures of a lip 94 secured to the cover. hrough the registering apertures, the hasps of one or morepadlocks 95 may be passed so as to prevent the closing-of the circuit through the fuses. The lip 94 also serves as a stop to limitthe opening movement of the handle so that the toggle will be slightly past dead-center and thereby in a locked position to prevent movement of the switch carrier during the time when the circuit is broken. By rotating the shaft 89 through an arc-of slightly more than 180, the carrier may be moved against the pressure of the 'springs to closed position, as shown in full lines in Fig.1, in which case the toggle will be slightly beyond deadcenter position so as to lock the carrier closed. A slight movement and release of the handle anti-clockwise is suthcient to unlock the toggle and permit the springs rapidly to move the switch carrier to locked open position and thus open the circuit through the fuses. in this way, I secure a quick break when the movable contacts are separated from the stationary contacts.

I provide means, as hereinbefore stated, for so interlocking the parts that, when the switch carrier is in its closed position, it is impossible to open the hinged door; and that, so-long as the door is open, it is impossible to move the switch carrier to its closed position, in consequence of which the fuses are always electrically inactive when they are accessible. To this end, the shaft 89 is provided with a circular flange or disk 96 which is located just in the rear of the cross bar 90 of the yoke 82. Said disk is formed with a peripheral notch 97 (see Fig. 11), which, when the switch carrier is in its open positiom'registers with'an aperture or slot '98 in the upward extension 99 of the front wall 90 of the yoke 82. A latch 100, consisting of a finger loosely 101 held in ears 102 extending rearwardly from the upward extension 99, is arranged so as to swing into. the notch 97 when the latter is in registration therewith as shown in Fig. 11. To insure this operation of the latch, a leaf closed position. The stem 105 is provided with a transverse notch 106 wide enough toreceivebetween the end walls thereof the disk 96, and it will now be apparent that, after the door 29 has been completely closed, the latch 100 is moved to its inactive position out of engagement with the disk 96, and the shaft 89 has been slightly or fully rocked by'its handle, the unnotched portions of the disk will'be as to lock the door. in its closed" position. The door is thus only openable when the ,carrier has been moved to its fully; open position so as to cause the notch 97 in the disk96 to register with the stem 105. Then,

when the door is opened (moving to the leftin Fig. 10 the latch 100, which has been held in inactive position by the end of the stem, will under pressure of the spring 103 be ,moved downwardly so as to enter the notch 97 and thus lock the disk 96 and the switch carrier against movement toward closed position.

To prevent interference with the proper operation of the latch 100, a hood 107 is provided which is secured by a screw 108 upon the upper end of the extension 99 of the yoke 82, and which incloses the ears 102', the spring 103 andthe latch 100. The disk 96 moves into the hood, as shown in Figs.- 10 and 11'.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the fuses are so arranged that an operator cannot come in contact with the current-carrying parts h re-fusing the cutouts, irrespective from whichever side the lead wiresare carried into the box, for the door is openable to' afford access to the fuses only when the switch carrier is in its open position as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1 and when the carrier is locked against manipulation. T he presence of the barriers 32 prevents the operator from reaching the current-carrying parts when the door is opened, the current-carrying parts being located outside of and beyond the, barriers where they are covered completely by the cover. As shown in Fig. 2, the door-closed opening in the cover extends from a point 7 atabout the level of the top of the hood as indicated at 110 to a point above the upper fuse as indicated at 111. The upper endof the door is curved as at 112 so as to form a cylindrical segment concentric with the axis of the pintles 30; and consequently, when the door is opened, the curved surface will remain in close proximity to the edge 111. To stiffen the door, it may be provided with angle iron strips 113 which will lap the inner edges of the-barriers 32 when the door is closed. Consequently, when the moved intothe notch 106 so the fuses 37 are located- Havingv thus explained thenature'of my said invention and described a way of making and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes of its use, what I claim is 1. In combination, a stationary fuse, stationary line contacts, movable contacts for connecting said fuse with and disconnecting it from both the stationary line contacts, and an inclo'sing box having an opening exposing only said fuse, and a door therefor which is openable only when the movable contacts are in open fuse-disconnected position.

2. A switch mechanism comprising a stasaid fuse, and an associated door openable only when said movable contact is out of engagement with said stationary contacts.

3. A switch'mechanism comprising a stationary fuse, stationary-line contact members, movable switch members for connecting anddisconnecting the fuse terminals with both said'st-ationary contact members, a carrier for actuating said movable contacts, and means for actuating said carrier.

4.1 1. switch mechanism comprising a stationary fuse, stationary line contact members, movable-switch members for connecting and wholly disconnecting the fuse terminals with a'nd'from both said stationary contact members, a carrier for actuating said movable contacts, a box inclosing the same and having an opening for exposing only the fuse, and a-movable door normally closing said opening and openable only when said movable switch members are in position to disconnect the fuse fromboth said line contact members.

5. A switch mechanism comprising stationary line terminals, a stationary fuse, movable contact members for electrically connecting the terminals of said fuse into and disconnecting them from said line termembers for electrically connecting the opposits ends of said fuse with and disconnecting them from said line terminals, an inclosing box having an opening for exposing only said fuse and also having a movable door normally closing said opening, an operating member connected to said movable contact members, and inta'loclring means between said operating member and said door by s which the operating member is locked, with the contact member in open position, when the door is open 7. A switch mechanism comprising two pairs spaced stationary contacts, one contact of each pair constituting a line terminal and the other constituting a fuse terminal, movable contacts for electrically connecting disconnecting said stationary contacts of each pair, a stationary fuse inter.- posed betw en and electrically connected with said fuse terminals an inclosing box having an opening for exposing only said fuse, a barrier between said fuse and said movable contacts, and a movable door normally covering said opening and opena-ble only when said movable contacts are in inactive or open position. t

8. A. switch mechanism comprising a stationary fuse raving a terminal at each end, line terminals, and movable c rrier having means-for electrically and simultaneously connecting both line terminals with said fuse terminals, and simultaneously disconnecting both line terminals from said fuse terminals.

9. A switch mechanism comprising a stationary fuse having a terminal at each end, linejerminals, a movable carrier having means for electrically and simultaneously connecting both line terminals with said fuse terminals, and simultaneously disconnecting both line terminals from said fuse terminals, a casing inclosing said fuse and said terminals having a door which when open exposes only the fuse, and interlocking mechanisrn between said carrier and said door by which the door is locked when said fuse contacts and said line contacts are electrically connected.

10. A switch mechanism comprising a stationary fuse having a terminal at each end, line terminals, a movable carrier having means for electrically and simultaneously connecting both line terminals with said fuse terminals, and simultaneously disconnecting bothline terminals from said fuse terminals, a casing inclosing said fuse and said terminals, and an operating mechanism for the carrier extending through the casing and operable from a point exterior to said casing.

ll. A switch mechanism comprising a stationary fuse, two pairs of stationary contacts at opposite ends of said fuse, with one contact of each pair electrically connected with such fuse, a movable contact associated each of stationari contacts, a box inclosing the said elements and having an opening exposing said fuse but not said movable contacts, and a movable door associated with said opening and openable only when said movable contacts are in inactive or open position.

l2. Aswitch mechanism comprising a stationary fuse, two pairs of stationary contacts at opposite ends of said fuse, with one contact of each pair electrically connected with such fuse, a movable contact associated with each pair of stationary contacts, a box inclosing the said elements and having an opening exposing said fuse, barriers located between said opening and fuse and said movable contacts to prevent access to said movable contacts, and a door normally closing said opening and openable only when said contacts are in inactive or open positions.

18. Aswitch mechanism comprising a stationary fuse, two pairs of stationary con tacts at opposite ends of said.- fuse, with one contact of each pair el ctrically connected with such fuse, a movable contact associated with each pair of stationary contacts, a boX inclosing the said elements and a carrier located within said box and operatively connected to said movable contacts to move them simultaneously relatively to stationary contacts and said fuse.

1d. Aswitch mechanism comprising a stationary fuse, two pairs of stationary contacts at opposite ends of said fuse, with one contact of each pair electrically connected with such fuse, a movable contact associated with each pair of stationary contacts, a box inclosing the said elements, and a carrier having members operatively connected to said movable contacts to move them simultaneously into and out of active or closed position, and a handle operatively connected to said carrier to actuate it.

15. A switch mechanism comprisinga box, insulating partitions dividlng its interior into a central fuse compartment and outer compartments on both sides thereof, mov- 1 able door on said box which when opened affords access to the fuse compartment only,

a stationary fuse located within said central compartment, fuse terminals and movable contacts in said outer compartments for opening and closing a circuit through said fuse, and means operable exteriorly of'the box for operating said movable contacts.

16. Piswitch mechanism comprising a box, insulating partitions dividing its interior into a central fuse compartment and outer compartments on both sides thereof, a stationary fuse wit iin said central compartinent, stationary contacts and movable contacts in said outer o urtments for opening and closing a circuit through said fuse, an opening in the front wall or cover of the box registering only with central chain- I open and closed ber, a member operatively connected to said movable contacts, a movable door for said .spaced pairs ofstationary contacts, a stationary fuse connecting a contact of one pair'with a contact of the other pair, a movable contact for each pair of stationary contacts, a U-shaped carrieron the arms of,

which said movable contacts are mounted, and mechanism for moving said carrier.

18. A switch mechanism comprising two spaced pairs of stationary contacts, a stationary fuse connecting a contact of one pair with a contact of the otherlpair, a movable contact for each pair of-stationary contacts, a slidable carrier for said movable contacts, and a toggle for operating carrier.

19. A switch mechanism comprising two spaced pairs of stationary contacts, a stationary fuse connecting a contact of one pair with a contact of the other pair, a movable contact for each pair of stationary contacts, a slidable carrier for said movable contacts, a toggle for locking said carrier in position respectively, and for moving said carrier to yielding means open position.

. 20. A switch mechanism comprising a fuse, stationary fuse terminals connected with the ends of the fuse, a carrier, line contacts, movable contacts on said carrier for opening and closing a .circuit from the line contacts through the'fuse terminals, an inclosing box havin an opening affording access only to said use, a hinged door, independent ofthe fuse and movable contacts, normally closing said opening, an operating -member operatively connected to said carrier, and interlocking mechanism between said hinged door and said operating member by which the door is locked except when the movable contact is in open position, and the operating member is locked, with the movable contacts in open position, except when the door is closed.

21. A switch mechanism comprising a box, a hinged door therefor, a movable contact within the box, an oscillatory member for actuating said contact, a notched disk on said member, a latch for engaging the notch of said'disk to hold said member against movement, and means on the door for entering said notch and displacing said latch.

22. A switch mechanism comprising a box, a hinged door therefor, a movable con-- an oscillatory member tact within the box,

I to prevent the opening said for actuating saidcontact, a notched disk on said member, a notched stud on said door for interlocking engagement with said disk of the door, and means for engaging 'and locking said disk when said door is open.

23. A switch mechanism comprising a box, a hinged door therefor, a movable contact within the box, an oscillatory member for actuating said contact, a notched disk on said member, a latch for engaging the notch of said disk to hold said member against movement, and a notched stud on said door'for displacing said latch and interlocking with said disk.

24. A switch mechanism comprising a fuse, and movable switch members for simultaneously opening or closing a circuit through both ends of the fuse without moving said fuse, and an inclosing box having a door operable toexpose only said fuse only when the switch is in open position. I

25. A switch mechanism comprising a closed box having internal barriers forming a central and two outer chambers, stationary contacts and movable contacts located only in said outer chambers, fuse sockets located in the central chamber, each connected with one. of the stationary contacts, a removable relatively stationary fuse engaged with said sockets, a carrier for the movable contacts, an opening in the front wall of the box registering only with said central chamber, a rock shaft, a toggle connecting said shaft with said carrier to operate it, a movable door normally closing said opening and means for automatically locking said shaft when the door is open.

26. A- switch mechanism comprising a closed box having internal barriers forming a central and'two outer chambers, stationary contacts and movable contacts located only in said outer chamber, fuse sockets located in the central chamber, each connected with one of the stationary contacts, a removable relatively stationary fuse engaged with said sockets, a carrier for the movable contacts, anopening in the front wall of the box registering only with said central chamber, a rock shaft, a toggle connecting said shaft with said carrier to operate it, a movable door normally closing said opening, and

means for automatically locking said shaft y RANVILLE" E. PALMER. 

